How Do You Know If You’re Having Seasickness? Signs, Symptoms, Causes & What to Do
Introduction
Seasickness can turn an exciting cruise, boat trip, or ocean adventure into an uncomfortable experience. But how do you know whether what you are feeling is actually seasickness?
Seasickness is a type of motion sickness that can happen when your brain receives conflicting signals from your eyes, inner ears, and body. It can affect people of all ages and may occur even if you have never experienced it before.
The good news is that seasickness is usually temporary and often improves once your body adjusts to the movement of the vessel.
In this article, we’ll explain the most common signs and symptoms of seasickness, what causes it, how to recognize the early warning signs, and what you can do to feel better.
What Is Seasickness?
Seasickness is motion sickness caused by the movement of a boat or ship.
Your inner ear contains structures that help your brain determine movement and balance. When you’re on a moving vessel, your inner ear can detect the ship rocking, rolling, pitching, or turning.
At the same time, your eyes may be looking at a relatively stationary object, such as the inside of a cabin.
This mismatch between what your eyes see and what your inner ear senses can confuse the brain and trigger symptoms of motion sickness.
What Does Seasickness Feel Like?
Seasickness doesn’t feel exactly the same for everyone. Some people develop mild discomfort, while others can experience severe nausea and vomiting.
Common symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Upset stomach
- Dizziness
- Feeling lightheaded
- Headache
- Sweating
- Pale or clammy skin
- Increased saliva
- Tiredness or weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling generally unwell
- Vomiting
You may experience only a few of these symptoms, and they can develop gradually or appear relatively quickly.
Early Signs of Seasickness
Recognizing the early symptoms can help you take action before the condition becomes more uncomfortable.
Some of the first signs may include:
1. Feeling Uneasy
You may suddenly feel that something isn’t quite right. You might feel uncomfortable, restless, or unusually tired.
2. Increased Saliva
Your mouth may begin producing more saliva than usual. This can happen shortly before nausea or vomiting.
3. Sweating
Unexpected sweating, particularly cold or clammy sweating, can be an early warning sign.
4. Mild Nausea
You may begin feeling slightly sick to your stomach. This is one of the most recognizable early symptoms.
5. Dizziness
You may feel as though the room or surroundings are moving, or you may feel unsteady when standing or walking.
6. Headache
Some people develop a headache along with nausea and dizziness.
If these symptoms start while you’re on a moving boat or ship, seasickness may be the cause.
Why Does Seasickness Happen?
Your brain relies on information from several systems to understand where your body is and how it is moving.
Your:
- Eyes provide visual information.
- Inner ears detect movement and balance.
- Muscles and joints provide information about your body’s position.
On a ship, these systems can send conflicting information.
For example, imagine you’re sitting inside a cabin reading a book. Your eyes tell your brain that you’re sitting still, but your inner ear detects the ship moving up and down and from side to side.
This sensory conflict can trigger the symptoms associated with motion sickness.
Can You Get Seasick on a Cruise Ship?
Yes. Being on a large cruise ship does not completely eliminate the possibility of seasickness.
Modern cruise ships are designed with stabilizing systems that can reduce some of the effects of ocean movement. However, ships can still move considerably when encountering strong winds, large waves, storms, or rough seas.
People who are particularly sensitive to motion may notice the movement even when other passengers don’t.
When Does Seasickness Usually Start?
Seasickness can begin shortly after a vessel starts moving, although it may take longer for some people.
It can also become more noticeable when the ocean becomes rough.
For some passengers, symptoms improve after spending time on the ship as the body gradually adapts to the movement.
How Long Does Seasickness Last?
The duration varies from person to person.
Some people begin feeling better after the ship reaches calmer water or after they spend time resting. Others may continue experiencing symptoms until they are back on stable ground.
After leaving the ship, most people improve as their sensory systems return to normal. However, if severe symptoms continue after the trip, it’s a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional.
Who Is More Likely to Experience Seasickness?
Anyone can experience seasickness, but some people may be more susceptible to motion sickness than others.
Factors that may increase susceptibility include:
- Previous motion sickness
- Traveling in rough seas
- Certain types of movement
- Reading while the vessel is moving
- Looking at screens for long periods while onboard
- Sitting in areas where ship movement is more noticeable
Importantly, experiencing seasickness does not mean you are weak or that you are doing anything wrong. Motion sickness is a physiological response to conflicting sensory information.
What Should You Do If You Think You’re Getting Seasick?
If you begin noticing symptoms, consider taking steps to reduce the amount of motion you experience.
Move to an Area With Less Motion
On a cruise ship, lower and more central areas of the vessel generally experience less movement than locations higher up or toward the front and back.
Look Toward the Horizon
Looking outside toward the horizon can sometimes help your visual system better match what your inner ear is experiencing.
Get Some Fresh Air
If possible and safe, spending time in an open-air area may help some people feel more comfortable.
Avoid Reading
Reading books or looking closely at your phone can make motion sickness worse for some people because your eyes are focused on something that appears stationary while your body is moving.
Rest
Sit or lie down somewhere comfortable and try to minimize unnecessary movement.
Stay Hydrated
Vomiting can cause fluid loss, so drinking fluids can be important. If you’re nauseated, small amounts taken gradually may be easier to tolerate.
Can You Prevent Seasickness?
There are several strategies travelers use to reduce the likelihood or severity of seasickness.
Before a cruise or boat trip, you may want to:
- Get adequate sleep.
- Avoid traveling on an empty stomach.
- Avoid very heavy meals immediately before or during rough conditions.
- Stay hydrated.
- Choose a cabin or seating area with less movement.
- Limit activities that require prolonged reading or looking at screens.
- Spend time looking toward the horizon when appropriate.
Some people also use motion-sickness medications. Because medications can have side effects and may not be appropriate for everyone, consider discussing your options with a healthcare professional or pharmacist before using them.
Is Seasickness Dangerous?
For most healthy people, seasickness is uncomfortable rather than dangerous.
The main concern with prolonged or severe vomiting is dehydration and loss of electrolytes.
Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe, persistent, or unusual, particularly if you cannot keep fluids down or develop symptoms that don’t seem consistent with ordinary motion sickness.
Severe dizziness, fainting, chest pain, difficulty breathing, confusion, severe headache, blood in vomit, or other concerning symptoms should not simply be assumed to be seasickness.
Seasickness vs. Other Problems
Not every case of nausea on a boat is necessarily seasickness.
Nausea can also result from:
- Food poisoning
- Dehydration
- Heat exposure
- Alcohol consumption
- Anxiety
- Certain medications
- Other illnesses
If multiple people who ate the same food become sick, for example, foodborne illness could be a possibility rather than motion sickness.
Can You Get Seasick Even If You’ve Never Been Sick Before?
Yes.
Someone who has traveled on boats many times without problems can still experience seasickness during a particular trip.
The amount and type of movement can vary significantly between trips. A calm day on the ocean may produce very little motion, while rough seas can cause substantial movement.
Your sensitivity can also vary depending on factors such as fatigue, stress, illness, and other circumstances.
What About Seasickness After the Ship Stops?
Most people begin feeling better once the motion stops. However, some travelers may continue to feel like they’re moving for a short period after returning to land.
This sensation can be unsettling, but it often resolves as the brain readjusts to being on stable ground.
If unusual dizziness or other symptoms persist or are severe, consult a healthcare professional rather than assuming they are simply leftover seasickness.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the early signs of seasickness can make a cruise or boat trip much easier to manage.
Nausea, dizziness, sweating, increased saliva, headache, tiredness, and vomiting are among the most common symptoms. The condition occurs when the brain receives conflicting information about movement from the eyes, inner ears, and body.
If you begin feeling seasick, moving to an area with less motion, looking toward the horizon, getting fresh air, resting, staying hydrated, and avoiding reading or prolonged screen use may help.
Most importantly, don’t be embarrassed if you become seasick. It is a common response to motion, and even experienced cruise and boat travelers can experience it.
If symptoms are severe, persistent, or accompanied by unusual warning signs, seek medical advice rather than assuming the symptoms are caused by seasickness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first sign of seasickness?
Early symptoms can include an uneasy feeling, increased saliva, sweating, tiredness, dizziness, and mild nausea.
Does seasickness make you vomit?
It can. Vomiting is one of the more recognizable symptoms of moderate to severe seasickness, but not everyone who becomes seasick will vomit.
Can you suddenly become seasick?
Yes. A person who has never experienced motion sickness before can develop seasickness, particularly in rough ocean conditions.
Does looking at the horizon help seasickness?
Looking toward the horizon may help some people because it provides a stable visual reference that can reduce the mismatch between visual and inner-ear signals.
Where is the best place to sit on a cruise ship if you get seasick?
Areas closer to the middle of the ship and on lower decks generally experience less movement than higher or more forward/aft areas.
How long does seasickness usually last?
It varies. Many people improve as their body adapts to the ship’s movement or after returning to stable ground.
Can seasickness happen on a large cruise ship?
Yes. Large cruise ships can have stabilizers that reduce movement, but they can still move significantly in rough seas.
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